The Museum of Mourning Photography (MoMP)'s Blurbs
About me:
Click The Page Below to Visit the Museum of Mourning Photography & Memorial Practice
Mission:
The Museum of Mourning Photography is not intended for morbid fascination, but as an investigation into human ritual. The Museum's focus is on how photography, as a tool and artistic medium, preserves memory as an expressive cultural document· Our mission at the Museum is to collect, showcase, preserve, and disseminate information pertaining to all facets of memorial documentation. The Museum is a resource for both the anthropologist and artist alike. -Anthony R. Vizzari, Museum Director, 2007.
The Collection:
The Collection houses over 1000 mourning photographs and negatives, circa 1850 to 1980. In addition, there is also an archive of pertinent literature and ephemera.
With a modest budget, we are actively acquiring new items.
The collection may only be viewed by appointment. To make arrangements to see the collection in Chicago, please email: viewing@mourningphoto.com. 2-3 week advance scheduling may be required.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE MASS AMOUNTS OF COMMENT AND EMAIL SPAM, WE NO LONGER USE MYSPACE EMAIL OR COMMENTS. If you would like to contact us, please email us directly at info@mourningphoto.com
Who I'd like to meet:
The Museum of Mourning Photography (MoMP)'s Friend Space (Top 14)
The Museum of Mourning Photography (MoMP) has 2648 friends.
Tomamos el más largo camino existente entre puntos tan próximos, nuestros cofres llevan fuego dentro, el combustible somos nosotros mismos, a veces recogemos algún pasajero para hacer más grande la llama, dejando al pasar no más que destellos de nuestros latidos
The burned ruins of Columbia, South Carolina, from the State House steps, 1865
"But amidst all, my greatest wish is that so much heroism, and suffering, and blood, may not at least be uselessly expended; and this, and every other record of them may freely be given to the flames, if from the ashes 'shall arise a bird which shall avenge them all.'" -Lucy Holcombe Pickens
Stroke the cool forehead hot so often, Lift, if you can, the listless hair; Handle the adamantine fingers Never a thimble more shall wear.-Emily Dickinson-
A ghost is defined as the apparition of a deceased person, frequently similar in appearance to that person, and usually encountered in places she or he frequented, or in association with the person's former belongings. The word "ghost" may also refer to the spirit or soul of a deceased person, or to any spirit or demon. Ghosts are often associated with hauntings, which is, according to the Parapsychological Association, "the more or less regular occurrence of paranormal phenomena associated with a particular locality (especially a building) and usually attributed to the activities of a discarnate entity; the phenomena may include apparitions, poltergeist disturbances, cold drafts, sounds of footsteps and voices, and various odours." The term ghost has been replaced by apparition in parapsychology, because the word ghost is deemed insufficiently precise. The belief in ghost as souls of the departed is closely tied to the ancient concept of animism, which attributed souls to everything in nature, including human beings, animals, plants, rocks, etc.
Although the human soul was sometimes symbolically or literally depicted in ancient cultures as a bird or other animal, it was widely held that the soul was an exact reproduction of the body in every feature, even down to clothing the person wore. This is depicted in artwork from various ancient cultures, including such works as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which shows deceased people in the afterlife appearing much as they did before death, including the style of dress. Although the evidence for ghosts is largely anecdotal, the belief in ghosts throughout history has remained widespread and persistent.
